Awakening Dusk

Summary:
Bella and Edward's story after Eclipse. A new chapter in their relationship, Bella's change, a new treaty with the wolves. A conflict in the Volturi coven will make them choose a side. Canon. Not OOC "Bella" he called.I turned to glare at him. "What do you want Edward?He was in front of me in a flash. His eyes were on fire, they smoldered. One of his hands pressed on the small of my back and the other tangled in my hair. "You". His voice was low and husky. "All of you. Every part. Right now".

Notes:
This is my first story. It's sort of how I expected Breaking Dawn to be. I hope you enjoy it.

10. Awakening

I couldn't see, and I couldn't hear. The darkness was completely overwhelming. It was like I'd been thrown into a room with no windows, no doors, and sealed completely shut from any form of light. Light was only a dim memory, only darkness existed.

It materialized and changed form eventually drowning me, while taking me down and becoming more intense. Like swimming in a vat of tar. The substance was weighing my limbs, making them numb and impossible to move. I couldn't breathe in the goo, either. I struggled to swim in it, as I tried to break the surface and fill my lungs with air but I didn't know which way was up.

Soon, I was exhausted, and I couldn't swim anymore. As I stopped struggling, I felt my body begin to float. Maybe this was the key, I just had to stop fighting and my body would rise and reach the surface. Before long, I broke the surface and inhaled deeply. It hurt. I tried again, but this time it felt like I had stuck my head in a fire and breathed in flames. The flames traveled down my throat and ignited my chest, scorching my heart, and making their way down to my arms. It was unbearable.

The feeling of drowning in darkness had been nothing compared to this. Instead of trying to stay afloat, I struggled to dive into the darkness. I wanted to drown in it, to be completely submerged, and let it cover me entirely to extinguish the fire. But the deep vat of tar had become a shallow pool, as if someone had unplugged the stopper in the drain. There was nothing to cover me and soothe me. There was no escaping the pain. I shrieked in agony, begging for it to stop, and for someone to kill me. My limbs where no longer numb, I could feel every part of me as the flames burned me. I thrashed and tussled, attempting to bring my hands up to my chest and claw it open to release the flames in my heart - anything to stop this pain.

As the fire raged, I became painfully aware of every part of my body, the pain had sensitized every part of my being. I could feel every cell, every frantic, speeding heartbeat that pumped a new blaze through me. My mind also became incredibly clear. I could remember every detail of the events that had led me to this hell. I evoked those memories, trying to conceal myself in them...to escape into a part of my mind where the flames couldn't reach me. But the fire wouldn't relent, and for an immeasurable amount of time, fire was the only thing that existed.

I don't know how long I burned. Time had ceased to pass. But the blaze that had eaten away my brain had made room in my mind to ponder other aspects of the pain. The pain had intensified, but I was able to experience it in a new way. I was able to recognize the reason for the pain. I was transforming; Edward had bitten me.

I couldn't control the convulsions that shook my body, but I fought with what will I had left, to stop the wails that struggled to escape my lips. I remembered Edward telling me that Carlisle had been able to remain quite enough to avoid being discovered as he burned. And I could recall Rosalie telling me that it was useless to scream. I hoped with every fiber in my being, that I could be like them, and keep my pain hidden. Because I knew that with every cry that I gave, Edward's torment would double. I couldn't do that to him. He was the reason I had vowed to undergo this pain. He was the only motive that made the agony worth suffering.

My body started waking, and for brief moments, I was able to open my eyes. I caught short glimpses of Edward holding me, struggling with my convulsions. My hearing started becoming clearer and clearer, and I could hear him apologizing every time I shook, promising that the pain would be over soon. He began humming my lullaby, trying to soothe me - it was working.

The pain was not lessening, but the sound of his voice gave me more strength to bear it. At times, I was able to stop screaming. I started hearing other voices coming close.

"Carlisle it's been almost two days, maybe I did something wrong" his voice was stifled, and it broke on the last word.

I felt slight pressure on my wrist.

"Listen to her heartbeat Edward; it's even stronger than Emmett's. It won't be long now."

"Her injuries were so extensive," he said in a broken whisper.

"Her injuries weren't so much worse than Esme's. The venom will heal her, as it did Esme. She'll be perfect. It's not the first time I've seen vampire venom work miracles," Carlisle said, reassuring him.

Two days! I had been burning for just two days. Somehow, it had seemed longer. I fought to open my eyes, and locked them with Edward's.

"Bella, I love you, I'm sorry," he said again in a whisper.

I wanted to speak, to tell him that I loved him too, that he didn't need to suffer with me. But I knew that if I even tried to pry my lips open from the thin line I was pressing them into, only screams would come out. So instead, I tried to concentrate on my blurry gaze, trying with unparalleled effort, to convey the same message trough my eyes. Our stare held for a few seconds, before I lost it in another wave of muscle spasms, as the fire once again rose with intensity.

I can't say that I lost consciousness, because I was very aware of the pain. But at times, I would lose visual connection with the world. Just the visual, I could listen. New noises came. I could make out with perfect clarity the pounding beats of my heart. I could even make out Edward's low even breaths, very close to me. I heard light, rhythmic footsteps, and a whirl or air stirred by an opening door. The footsteps got closer.

"When will she wake up?" Edward asked.

"Very soon" Alice answered, "I can see her waking already"

"How long? Please Alice, focus on the clock"

"All right" Alice sighted

Hushed breathing.

"There, happy now?" Alice said her voice brighter.

He gave a low growl "Relieved, yes. Happy, no. How could I be happy? She's in agony".

"Oh, Edward. Don't worry; she's going to be fine. There was no other way" Alice assured him.

"I know" he sighted "I just...I just wish it didn't have to be this way"

"It wouldn't have made the change any less painful, Edward. Stop torturing yourself. Bella doesn't want you to suffer with her, that's not fair for her, your pain only doubles hers"

Yes, Alice will help him, she would make him understand.

"Your right, I'm sorry. I have to be strong for her. Thank you Alice"

The time! They didn't say how much longer I had to endure. I opened my eyes again, trying to decipher what time it was, that's when the pain changed. It started to fade from my fingertips and toes; receding slowly up to my wrists and ankles. But just as I began to hope that the pain would dim, it shot up at an incredible amount. It was unbearable, bewildering. A scream escaped my lips, and my heartbeat, already too fast, hiked up to an unbelievable pace.

The fire left my arms and legs, but now it seemed to be concentrating on my heart, as if my frantic heartbeat was attracting it.

"Carlisle" Edward called.

Carlisle entered the room with Alice at his side. I could distinguish their footsteps, echoing against the wood floor.

"Ah" Carlisle said, "It's almost over"

Oh! My heart sped up more, I couldn't even scream this time. The pounding of my heart was so fast, that each heartbeat was indiscernible, they had bound together, instead of a heartbeat it was a hum. My back arched, breaking away from the hold Edward was struggling to have on me. All the fire gathered in my heart in an unbearable surge. I fell down once again onto Edward's arms. My heart stuttered twice, and then thudded again feebly one more time.

My heart was silent. Everything around me had come to a stop, including the pain. For a while, that was all I was able to concentrate on; the pain was gone. I couldn't hear anyone breathing, not even me. I snapped my eyes opened and stared around me in awe.

I could see everything. Every tiny beam of light, reflecting of the miniscule dust particles that were floating above me. I could easily make out every stroke of the paintbrush in the ceiling tiles over me. Sunbeams were bouncing off the glossy surface of the paint, braking off into every color of the rainbow; like a prism. I gasped at its beauty, filling my lungs with air. Three sets of lungs started working with mine as I took my first breath. It was odd, no relief came with each intake of air, and it felt unnecessary. But although I didn't need it, I liked it. I could sense and taste every particle of air around me, every fragrance. There was one that stood above the rest; a honey, lilac, and sunshine smell, it was so sweet, so wonderful, that I inhaled deeply once again, flavoring it. I heard footsteps getting close and a swish of air made by a door opening, it brought on new delicious scents. I hadn't realized that someone was holding me, until I felt their grip tighten under me. It startled me, and I froze. In an instant, I recoiled from the touch, flipping over and jumping to my feet, in a movement so quick, so rapid, that I thought the room itself had turned over. I found myself pressed against a tall wall of glass.

In my peripheral vision, I could see others coming into the room, but my whole attention was in the face of the most beautiful creature I had ever seen in my life. I had always known that Edward was beautiful, but until now, I don't think I had been able to take in the true measure of his beauty. His features were so perfect, his full lips so well delineated, like they had been meticulously painted by an artist's brush. His alabaster brow furrowed in wonder as he looked at me, his amber eyes peering trough dense curtains of lashes. I couldn't say anything. His exquisiteness had stunned me.

"Bella?" he said inquisitively, as he walked carefully towards me with outstretched arms.

His voice was the most perfect sound in the world, not even an instrument could compare to it. I could feel its velvety folds, wrapping around my name. So badly, I wanted to touch him and fall into his arms while marveling over the light of his perfection.

I moved to embrace him, but my steps where so quick I bumped into him even before I realized I had moved. My whole body felt so different. As soon as the thought of moving began, my body responded, shifting with uncanny grace. It was more like flowing wind, than rapid step.

He smiled, revealing perfect white teeth that were so bright I had the impression that I was staring at the sun. If my heart had been beating, it would have jumped out of my chest. I wrapped my arms around him, and melted against his chest.

"Um,....Bella, ow" He leaned away from my embrace.

I removed my arms immediately as soon as I understood. I was too strong. I had hurt him. I felt my forehead crinkle with horrified realization.

"Don't worry love," he said, stroking his fingertips over the crease between my eyebrows, trying to smooth the worried lines "You're just a tad stronger than me, for the time being"

I carefully lifted my hands, and placed them with care on both sides of his glorious face. I needed to say something, the most important thing ever.

"I love you," I whispered, the sound ringing like glass bells.

He smiled again, and tenderly rested his forehead against mine. "As I love you," he said.

He surrounded me in his arms and caressed my lips with his. I cautiously leaned closer and he deepened the kiss. His lips parted as he kissed me with an intensity I had never felt before, and even though I didn't need air, my breathing spiked up involuntarily. The power of his kiss was perplexing; it was like he had never kissed me before. In reality, he had never kissed me like this. His breathing also sped as his hand tangled in my hair. I moved my arms to wrap them around his neck, while being as careful as I could. But for an instant, all I was aware of was Edward. His taste on my tongue, his silky lips on mine; it was like we were standing in limbo, and nothing else existed.

Someone cleared their throat, interrupting our elation. I became aware of the other vampires in the room and took a step back, embarrassed by my behavior. Edward laughed but didn't release me.

"Bella" Carlisle said moving slowly as he approached me, like he didn't want to frighten me, "How do you feel?"

I thought about that...I felt...fine. Different, but fine. Other than a sort of parched ache in my throat, the pain was gone.

"I'm fine, I just...." I trailed off; the sound of my voice was distracting.

"It's just...the sound of my voice; it's unrecognizable. And everything is so clear" I said looking intently into his gorgeous eyes. "I can see everything, things I had never noticed before. It's like a veil has been lifted off my eyes. And I can hear better too. I could make out the difference in Carlisle's footsteps and Alice's."

"That's very normal" Carlisle said "Anything else?"

"Well, my body moves in odd ways, as soon as I think about moving, my legs are already in motion"

"That's just one of the perks, little sis" My huge teddy bear of a brother said from his position close to the door, a dimple appearing in his cheeks as he smiled at me.

"What about your thirst, you seem very controlled," Carlisle said examining me with his stare.

There was this dry, parched feeling in my throat..My thirst. As soon as I gave it my attention, it flared up. It felt like I'd swallowed sand paper, I was raw inside. My hands flew instinctively to my neck, like I could smother away the dryness in my throat.

I noticed the rest of the family tense up, and I froze. I could feel there was danger close by. They had stayed in their position close to the door. Jasper and Emmett were in front, with Alice, Esme and Rosalie peering behind them. They were all looking at me with guarded expressions, and I realized that the only danger in the room was me, the newborn.

"I'm sorry" Carlisle apologized. "Your thirst must be quite uncomfortable. Perhaps it would be a good idea if you hunted now"

Hunt! But I didn't know how. I didn't know what to do. Just the idea frightened me. I was unable to speak, my whole body had become petrified.

"It's alright, love. I'll show you how. It's easy, you just have to follow your instincts," Edward said, rubbing my arm up and down, encouraging me to thaw out of my frozen state.

I knew I had to keep my reactions in check, so I wouldn't hurt anyone, I concentrated in relaxing my body.

"How is she doing that?" Jasper asked stepping closer to where Edward, Carlisle and I, were standing.

His appearance startled me. If I had been blind to Edward's beauty, Jasper's face was startling. He was not ugly, but his whole face was covered in half moon scars, that gave the resemblance of textured granite. He was intimidating. How many vampires had bitten him? The same amount that had died trying to kill him? His scars were a flashing sign of danger to any vampire. He sensed my reaction, and smiled wryly.

"I don't know" Edward answered.

"You don't know what?" I asked, annoyed that I didn't understand their conversation.

"How you're doing it, how you are controlling your behavior, and not trying to rip out our throats in desperation from your thirst. You're not supposed to be able to do that yet." Edward said looking at me in amazement, like I'd just discovered the cure for cancer or something.

Did he really expect me to try to attack them? He had already warned me about how dangerous being a newborn would be - they all had! Did they think I didn't get their warning? How stupid they must think I am. I felt my body tense with frustration and anger.

"I understood your warnings about being a newborn- that is still somewhat clear in my mind," I said gritting my teeth, so I wouldn't scream at them for their assumption.

"No, of course we know you understood our counsel, that's not what we meant Bella" Edward explained apologetically, rubbing his hand on the small of my back. "It's just amazing that your control is so strong. Because we know how difficult it is to restrain"

Of course, they would never think badly of me, my anger was unjustified and they didn't deserve it. I worked to calm down, I shouldn't overreact like that, and it wasn't fair to them.

"Wow, that's just...amazing. I've never seen anything like it," Jasper said staring at me in disbelieve.

What is with him? Was he always so easily surprised?

"I know" Edward said looking rather smug "Come love, let's hunt"

"Wait" Alice said gliding over to us. Her movements were so graceful, so elegant that I couldn't help but stare; she was so lovely! "There's still something I want to show Bella," she said smiling at me.

"Oh, Alice. This can wait, she's thirsty." Edward said rolling his eyes at her.

"No! What if she sees her reflection on something? You promised that I'd get to see her first reaction!" she said wagging a little finger in Edward's face.

She was out of the room before he even finished the sentence. I had been distracted by their conversation before, but now that he brought it up again, my thirst was back with a vengeance. I tried to swallow it back, but there was no moisture to extinguish the ache.

Alice came back carrying a huge framed mirror, and placed it in front of me, peeking from behind the frame to look at me excitedly.

"So? What do you think?" She squeaked eagerly.

I turned my attention to the young woman gazing at me from the reflective surface. She was stunning; her features were perfect and delicate. Her dark hair contrasted beautifully with her alabaster skin. But, who was she? I brought my hand up to touch my face, and the woman in the mirror copied the movement. I didn't recognize myself. My eyebrows pulled together in confusion, making a little crease between them. That expression I recognized. It was me, well a version of me. I noticed my eyes, and an involuntary gasp escaped my lips. They were startling. They were not the deep burgundy I had come horribly familiar with. They weren't even the crimson red I'd expected to see in a newborn. These eyes were a shockingly bright red, horrible and sinister, and possibly the scariest I'd ever seen.

"The eyes" I said appalled by their aspect "How long?"

"Not long" Edward answered from behind me, bringing his arms forward to wrap them around my waist. "Maybe about a year, animal blood dilutes the color. First they'll dim to orange and later amber"

"A year" I said, fighting to maintain composure.

"But, what about everything else? Bella! How about the dress, do you like it?" Alice interjected, obviously annoyed by my tepid reaction.

I concentrated again on my reflection - it took a great effort to ignore the horrid eyes. All in all, I had to admit that I did look.....beautiful. And even though my face had changed to an unearthly beauty, I could recognize some of my self underneath the surface. I ran my hands down my now stone hard stomach. The dress Alice must've put on me - while I was too far gone to notice- was very pretty. It was long and flowing, made of pure silk. The tan shade looked lovely against my skin, and the beaded detail in the empire-banded waist contrasted very well with my hair.

"I really like it Alice, it's very pretty, thank you" I said smiling at my tiny sister.

"Oh, Bella. You are dazzling." She said her eyes full of joy.

Edward gave a tiny growl from behind me.

"She always has been." he said, kissing my neck, I felt a shiver run down my spine.

It was amazing, he still made me tremble, but not from the coolness of his skin. His touch now felt warm to me, but it still had the ability of sending an electric current running through me, only now it felt intensified.

"Shall we?" he whispered against my ear, and running his finger down my arm, he took my hand. I felt as though my face should've blushed a deep red, but the color never rose to my cheeks.

I let out a gust of air. "Sure, let's go" I said letting him lead me towards the open window.